Ode to a Friend

http://southernbelleesquire.blogspot.com/2011/05/honorable-john-j-carroll-iii-presiding.html

Ashley sums it up in her blog about our esteemed Judge Carroll.

I met John not long after he had become Judge for our District.  We had a mutual legal friend and I introduced myself as such.  Noting the Judge's witty characteristics, I tossed in a bit of my own wit too.  Quickly I was happy to make his acquaintance and find him to be a "real" person, a regular guy.  The genuine kind, not the stuffy judge behind the bench better than you kind.  This man was human and compassionate.  He had a veal for life and people. 

I had opportunity to watch him in action - in Court.  He commanded respect, he deserved respect.  He treated the cases fairly, and didn't take any beef!  If it was right it was right; if it was WRONG - you knew it!  Someone asked me once if I thought that his judgment was fair and I said "Yes".  Most people leave court thinking a ruling isn't fair.  But, crime isn't fair - did you steal from Granny?  Well, guess what....just because she's your Granny doesn't excuse anything!!

He was always happy to meet you - see you on the street, in the store, at a restaurant or at our kids school (our daughters are in the same grade/school/classes).  John enjoyed being with his family.  We don't often see that in many Dads (parents) these days.  It was refreshing to know that John Carroll was one of the "good guys", the one you could count on, a man of integrity.  Our community has suffered a great loss.  John was giving, kind and funny, always had a smile and something to say!!

When John was called back to Iraq, I remember seeing him at school in his desert clothes.  I don't remember if it was before going or just after coming back.  It seemed like he wanted to make sure to speak with his children at that time, before/after his deployment.  Some would have just said "hello/goodbye" as they passed each other at home.  I wish all parents paid this much close attention to their kids.  When he came home, the school posted a banner outside "WELCOME HOME".

He truly touched the lives of all he came in contact with. 

So, Heaven......you've received a special Angel this week.  Beware:  this one comes with stories and wit and may be toking on a cigar, but you'll be glad to have him!

John, friend, thank you for all that you stood for, all that you have shown us.  We will miss you!

Here My Is.....

Hiatus.....well, yeah I guess.
I'd like to say that I've been super busy, but that's not the case at all.
Bummed out....blah, could care less.
Watching others, wallering in my own boredom.
All around me I see things to do, places to go, people to meet.
But no......alas, I am safe in my cocoon.

I know once I'm "back in the swing" I'd have fun, feel better........now, where's that swing?

Miss T is preparing for the 8th Grade Formal.....not so formal; just a bit more dressy than church clothes.  Got the dress, necklace and shoes...now what to do with hair?  She loves it long and straight.  Guess we'll pull up some and give it some springy curls and hope they stay!  She has that fine hair that just says ........uh NO.

In a lot of joint pain.  I'm sure exercise would help that (yes Mother) and I've decided to try my old tyme rheumatiz medicine again.  Gin soaked Golden Raisins.  Just need to remember DO NOT TAKE FIRST THING IN MORNING --- can you say GAG!!

Looking into a new endeavor too.....told little brother I would help him "officially" - that means a "real job" and on payroll.  That's ok, I'll still keep the other job I've been at for 11 years, just only working 2 days a week now due to the economy.  Good thing is brother's business is BOOMING and that means I'll be busy with him 2-3 days too.  Geesh that puts me back at a full time scale (hmmm).  It's some office work and some warehouse grunt work too.  I don't mind....hope my aching bones can agree.

Hubby?  Well, he visited family in Texas recently - had a good time.  Godson's Communion.  Now he's busy being pool and errand boy for us.  Picking up Miss T from school, delivering her to me when I'm in town so that she can get to dance. 

Speaking of Dance.......they started the DISNEY DANCE practice a couple weeks ago.  It is a cute routine.  I just hope they can last in that 25 minute march down main street in the June heat!!  It's coming up fast too!  June 22nd we leave out in the dark of night - easier travels.  Plane fares are down a bit, but not low enough.  I'm planning to rent a car rather than take mine - no need to put the miles on mine.  Plus if it breaks down, Rent-a-car place can come swap out!! 

Doing the math, drive/car rental & gas etc might be equal to the plane fare + car rental in Fla!  AND a plane ride is faster.  Just hope they don't lose my underwear!

Spring is finally here!

YAY!

Bloomers everywhere

Wait, wrong kind.

THESE!

And many others.

The pool is getting into shape....and then the wind blows and out comes the pollen.  

That's ok, the air is trying to get warm and for that I'm thankful.

Been tired of the grey cold winter we've had.  Blah!

Did the Spring Ahead thing in March and boy was it welcome!  The dark, it's so suffocating.

Now we have time to enjoy the outside!

But March and April around here seemed to have switched places.....March has been wet; April is now breezy??????  Nuts!

So does that mean Mother's Day is now in June?

If so, when's my birthday?

Small observation/vent

So the economy is tanking; people are jobless, homeless and clueless.

Which brings me to an observation that I must vent about.

Bear in mind that I was raised Southern Baptist.

Hubby's Godchild in Texas is having his first communion - Catholic.  Of course HE is expected to be there, after all he IS the GODFather.   My Father in law made sure to remind him about his "duty" to this child. Round trip airfare is $350.  Wow, that's a nice gift for a first communion, don't ya think?

The same FIL that called up hubby last year to REMIND him of this kid's birthday "after all you ARE the Godfather" - again a duty call.  Hmmmm, I wondered if he made the same call to ALL of his children and to remind them of ALL the grandkids birth dates?  NOT.  For  lo and behold, my daughter's birthday came and went.

Now, my car is in need of a full set of tires.....I'm running on ski's right now it seems.

But, I MUST book this flight................?????????

AND I'm planning for the Florida trip in June where Miss T will be dancing down Disney's Main Street in the Parade -- a once in a lifetime experience.

Asking a bit much to travel to Texas for a communion?  Or am I not seeing the BIG picture here?

Feel free to contribute any funds for the FLORIDA trip to my paypal account!!!!!!!!  I'll let Tom fly by the seat of his pants!!

http://www.officialsponsor.com widget HTML code -->

Sounds....not so silent ones

Tonight I was sitting with my niece and nephew while their parents (my brother) went out for a bit.  Yes, I am the good sister/aunt; anyway, Lil Mr Man and I had dinner together.  I had Hot and Sour Soup and he promptly noticed I had "worms" in it ....not really, it was the cabbage (I hope) or bok choy.

I was intrigued by the "school" attitude of my nephew....no longer the mild Clark Kent, but ready to play "bad guy/good guy" and blow up my submarine.  I'm calling it a school attitude since he is in his last half of Kindergarten.   His first experience surrounded by a lot of kids his own age - sure he's changing, adapting, but, where's my little buddy?

Then his sister, almost 3.  Sweet, kind, caring, mild mannered for the most part tonight.  Don't get me wrong she IS headstrong and will do it "her way" and that's that.  She is sharp too!  Catches on to everything and takes notice of each detail. 

She loves her brother....when she noticed his "blowing up" of the "world around us" she would quietly remove her items that were in the way, to another area, all while she "cooked" a brownie and cupcake in her Little Tikes oven.  She spilled the tea, but said it was OK.

With Nephew in bed, my niece and I went downstairs to watch "Mousey"....what she calls "Tom and Jerry".  I enjoyed the background music while she carefully watched the pooosey cat and mousey.

I heard a scratching on a door and realized that it was their cat, closed up in a spare room.  So I let him out and for some reason he headed straight upstairs.  Then I could hear my nephew giving the cat orders to get out!! and then "Aunt Sharon, Bailey needs his dinner"....."come get the cat!".  Poured a scoop of dry food out for him honestly because I didn't want to smell the can food.

Later I heard a "meow" and the cat pushed open the bathroom door----to announce to me that he had a desire to go outside -- geesh, privacy here please!! 

Outside -- that is where I heard it.

In the still of the night, no wind, just a tiny breeze, I could hear the rumble of the ocean waves pounding the shoreline.  I LOVE THAT SOUND!!  Once more I realize that I could never leave the water.  I would yearn for the sound of the ocean.  It made me think of my favorite spot in Nokomis Fl, on the Gulf.....no pounding waves on the shore.  Just lapping of small wakes made from the tide or a boat.  I love the ocean, yet the peacefulness of the Gulf is also magnetic. 

Once back inside to relax and wait for the parental units, I could hear the tick-tock of the clock and the grumbling of the refrigerator.   Typical house noises.  The dog and cat also stretched out to relax.....and fart....and lick....and snore.

Sigh...........

Not the best week to be..........

Occasionally I get the opportunity to listen to Neal Boortz.  He's wonderful, shoots from the hip, like I do.  Call it as you see it, ya know?  Then I learn that his sidekick and producer died, Royal Marshall.  WOW, I think my heart skipped a beat.  You may never meet someone in person, but you can get to know and respect them.

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/royal-marshall-boortz-radio-805217.html

And if that wasn't bad enough, one of our Dance Mom's lost a battle to Cancer this week.  She had Melanoma, and was 5 months pregnant.  Seems she had the cancer beat, but the pregnancy hormones stimulated its growth and ....well, she leaves 2 small children (under 10) and a loving husband.  They didn't have insurance and we've set up a donation bucket for them.  Other places are having benefits too -- BBQ's,  motorcycle "Poker Runs" etc.  Her memorial is tonight, casual attire, her request.

Another Dance Mom lost a brother yesterday to cancer.

That's 3....3's enough.